Torpedo



1 m 2, t n ou m sa W o, .1, w fl. f 2 n N Y m W S 5 m R w/ J M ,H W. wNN. n. Nb u m o m 5, l .Q In, M m n. NN NQ ma .Q m m .M )KA NG Sw H H. nu .ww nu. .W .F v F .0. l; Nw i n n Nw @uw Sm. nu .ha NN N NW QW NN. NYmN QN RN. mmv QN H m .QN l 0, J .QN v l WN. o l N .Ns

Nov. 10, 1936. J. H. HAMMOND. JR

TORPEDO Filed Jan. 5, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 10, 1936. J. H.HAMMOND, JR

TORPEDO Filed Jan. 5, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. l0, 1936. Y J. H.HAMMOND. JR

Patented Nov. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT -OFFICE 10 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to the control of selfpropelled bodies and moreparticularly to a method and means for controlling the path of a torpedoand for detonating the war head of the torpedo under predeterminedconditions.

More specifically, the invention provides for changing the path of atorpedo as it passes beneath a ship so as to cause the torpedo to strikethe bottom of the ship, preferably at or near the center of the hull.Means is also provided to detonate the war head of the torpedo When itis closely adjacent the hull, in a position where the maximum damage maybe eected.

This is accomplished by mechanism controlled by the influence of thehull when the torpedo passes in proximity thereto, which mechanism setsthe vertical rudder of the torpedo to bring the torpedo up intoengagement with the bottom of the hull. The mechanism may also controlsuit-w able timed means for detonating the explosive charge at apredetermined time after the actuation of the vertical rudder,preferably at the time the torpedo strikes the hull.

In one embodiment of the invention, the change in hydrostatic pressureon the top of the torpedo, due to the influence of the adjacent hull isutilized for the above purpose.

It has been found that, when a body travels thru the water, it causesthe formation of a pressure wave, which produces denite pressures ondifferent portions of the surface of the object, depending on the shapeof the object and the speed at which it is travelling. While the body istravelling in deep water and at a uniform speed, this pressuredistribution is constant. If, however, the body, comes into proximitywith another body, this pressure distribution is materially changed,causing the pressures on certain areas of the body to change rapidly.This may be because of a pressure wave reflected from the second body orbecause of the reaction caused by the inlluence of the second body.

The present invention provides a mechanism whereby this change inpressure on a portion of the torpedofirst causes the torpedo to bedirected sharply upward and then, after a predetermined interval oftime, causes the explosion of the warhead.

The invention also provides a means whereby the detonation of theWar-head of the torpedo is delayed a predetermined time after thetorpedo has passed under the hull of the ship in order to allow theexplosion to occur near the central portion of the vessel, where itwould be most effective.

The invention also consists in certain new and original features ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth andclaimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appendedhereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, the modeof its operation and the manner of its organization may be betterunderstood by referring to the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1is a vertical longitudinal section of the forward portion of a torpedoprovided with one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 represents diagrammatically the afterbody of the same torpedo;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 1 of another modified form of theinvention;

Fig. 6 diagrammatically illustrates the course of a torpedo attacking anenemy vessel. 25

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures ofthe drawings.

In the following description and in the claims, parts will be identifiedby specic names for convenience, but they are intended to be as genericin their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1to 3, there is shown a waterborne body such as a torpedo having a watertight hull or skin 9, and arranged to be propelled in the usual mannerby propellers I0 located at the after end. The hull 9 is provided with atransverse bulkhead Il, forming two compartments I3 and I4, the formerbeing lled with 40 an explosive charge I5, such for example as TNT.

A hole is provided in the hull 9 at the top of the compartment I4. Thishole is covered by a. diaphragm of flexible material I6 to which isattached a rod I'I which loosely passes through a hole in an arm I8,which is pivoted to a frame I9 secured to the bulkhead II. The arm I 8is provided with a socket 20 into which lits the upper end of a rod 2Iprovided with a threaded portion which screws through the bracket I9.The rod 2| passes through a water tight bearing in a cupped shapedmember 22 which is secured to the lower surface of the hull 9 at whichpoint the hull is provided with a hole to allow access to the end of therod 2 I. The lower end of the rod 2| is square-shaped as at 23 toreceive a key or wrench for rotating the rod 2|.

A spring 25 surrounds the rod I1 between the arm |8 and the diaphragmI6. Pivotally connected to the lower end of the rod |1 is an arm 26which is pivoted for rotation to the bracket I9. The arm 26 is providedwith lugs 21 and 28 at the respective ends, the former engaging a pin 29which is carried by a plunger 38. This plunger is slidably mounted inthe bulkhead l)Il and is provided with a collar 3|, secured thereto. Be-

tween this collar and the bulkhead is a compression spring 33. The endofthe plunger 30 is formed into a firing pin which is adapted to explodea detonator 36 mounted in a frame 31 which is carried by the bulkheadII.

Slidably mounted in the frame |9 is a rod 48 to one end of which ispivotally attached an H- shaped nger 4I which is provided with aprojection 42 which at suitable times cooperates with a projection 43 ofthe bracket I9. A collar 45 is secured to the rod 49. Between thiscollar' and the finger 4I is a tension spring 46 which normally holdsthe finger 4| in engagement with a projection 41 provided on the plunger30. Secured to the other end of the rod 40 is a piston 48 whichreciprocates in a cylinder 49. This cylinder is provided with a port 58,the flow of air through which is controlled by a needle valve Theplunger 30 is provided with a lug 55 which cooperates with an arm 56having an extension '51. The arm 56 is pivoted to a clock-work mechanism58 and is provided with a projection 59 which rides on a cam 60 drivenby the clock-work mechanism 58. This cam is provided with a notch 6I forreceiving the projection 59 at suitable times. A spring |6I is securedto the clock-work mechanism 58 and engages the extension 51, tending toturn'it and the arm 56 in a. clock-wise direction.

'I'he cam 60 is secured to a shaft 62 which is driven at a predeterminedrate of speed by the clockwork mechanism 58. To the shaft 62 is securedan arm 63 which normally engages a pin 64. A pin 65 is provided which atsuitable times is engaged by the arm 63 for limiting the motion of thecam 60.

For automatically' starting the clock-work mechanism 58 a heavy weight|65 is secured to the end of a at spring 66, the upper end of which isfastened to the casing of the clock-work mechanism 58. The Weight |65 isprovided with a projection 61 normally engaging a linger 68 whichcontrols the starting of the clock-work mechanism. Engaging the end ofthe linger 68 is a spring 69 which is supported on a bracket 10.

The lug 28 of the arm 26 cooperates with a pin 14 carried by a valvespindle 15 which reciprocates in a valve casing 16. The valve spindle 15is provided with two collars |15 and |16. `Between the collar I16 andthe valve casing 16 is a compression spring |11. The valve spindle 15 isprovided with a lug 11 which normally engages the extension 51. Theinterior of the Valve casing 16 communicates with a supply of fluidunder pressure (not shown) by means of a pipe 18. Also communicatingwith the interior of the valve casing 16 is a pipey 19 whichcommunicates with the interior of a cylinder located in the after body(Fig. 3). Slidably mounted in the cylinder 80 is a piston 8| which isoperatively connected to an arm 82, pivo-tally mounted on the hull 9 ofthe torpedo at 83.

The torpedo is provided with the usual vertical and horizontal ruddersand 86 respectively.

The latter are operated by means of a link 81 from the horizontalsteering engine 88 which is supplied with uid under pressure from a pipe89 and is controlled by a valve 90 operated in a well known manner fromthe depth control mechanism 9|. The horizontal steering engine 88 andthe depth control mechanism 9| are of any standard construction which iswell known in the art. Secured to the link 81 is a collar 92 which is1ocated in the path of travel of the arm 82.

In the operation of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, before thetorpedo is fired, the rod 2| is turned, by means of a key or wrench,which fits over the head 23, an amount dependent upon the depth at whichthe torpedo is to run. This puts the spring 25 under a compressioncorresponding to the hydrostatic head at this depth, so that when thetorpedo has reached this depth, the pressure on the outside of thediaphragm |6 will be equal to the pressure of the spring 25, thuscausing the arm 26 to assume the position shown in Fig. 1.

When the torpedo is fired, the inertia of the weight |65 causes it to bemoved backwardly relative tothe torpedo, thus disenga'ging theprojection 61 from the nger 68, which is moved upwardly under the actionof the spring 69, thus causing the clock-work mechanism 58 to startturning the cam 60 at a predetermined speed. After the cam 68 hasrotated a suiiicient amount, the projection 59 of the arm 56 will dropinto the notch 6| thus allowing the arm 56 to be rotated in a clock-wisedirection under the action of the spring I6 This causes this arm todisengage the lug 55 of the plunger 30 and also causes the extension 51to disengage the lug 11 of the valve spindle 15.

The'plunger 30 and the valve spindle 15 will then be held in thepositions shown in Fig. 1 by means of the lugs 21 and 28 engaging thepins 29 and 14 respectively. The torpedo now travels in this conditionat its predetermined depth until it reaches a position adjacent to thehull of the enemy ship |02 as shown at |0| of Fig. 6. .When it hasreached this position the reaction of the pressure Wave of the torpedowith the hull of the enemy ship |02 will cause a pressure change on thediaphragm I6, thus causing this diaphragm to be moved either in or outdepending upon certain conditions, such as the speed and depth at whichthe torpedo is running and the shape of the enemys hull and the speedand direction at which the hull is traveling.

This motion will be communicated to the arm 26 causing it to be rotatedin either a counter clock-wise or clock-wise direction depending uponwhether the diaphragm |6 is moved in or out. In either case the lugs 21and 28 will move out of alignment with the pins 29 and 14 thus allowingthe plunger 30 to move to the right under the action of the spring 33and the Valve spindle 15 to move rapidly to the left under the action ofthe spring |11. This allows fluid under pressure to pass from the pipe18 to the pipe 19 thence to the cylinder 80 (Fig. 3)' which causes thepiston 8| to be moved to the left. This in turn rotates the arm 82 in acounter clock-Wise direction so that it engages the collar 92 thusforcing the horizontal rudders 86 into the hardup position. This causesthe torpedo to follow the curved path denoted by the broken line |03 ofFig. 6 thus bringing the War-head into close proximity with the hull ofthe enemy vessel as shown at |04.

Since the plunger 30 has been released by the lug 21 it starts to moveto the right but is restrained in this motion by means of the dash pot49, the air in which is allowed to escape slowly through the port 50under the control of the needle valve 5|. This slow motion continuesuntil the projection 42 of the finger 4| engages the projection 43 ofthe bracket I9 at which time the nger 4| will be rotated in a counterclock-Wise direction, thus disengaging from the lug 41 which releasesthe plunger 30, thus allowing this plunger to be moved rapidly to theright under the action of the spring 33 until the firing pin 35 strikesthe detonator 36, thus detonating the same and causing the explosivecharge I3 to be exploded. This action may be timed to take placedirectly below V' and at the center of the hull of the enemy ship,

thus causing the maximum amount of damage to the enemy vessel. I

In the modied form of the invention shown in Fig. 4 the mechanismsimilar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 has been given the same referencecharacters. The rod |1 in this embodiment, is connected to one end of anarm which is plvoted to the bracket I 9. 'Ihe other end of this arm isprovided with a conducting segment I which is insulated therefrom andwhich selectively engages contacts ||2 and ||3 which are connectedthrough the winding of a solenoid ||4 and a battery ||5 to a brush I I6which engages a commutator ||1 provided with a conducting segment I |8.This commutator is mounted on a shaft I |9 of a clock-work mechanism|20. Secured to the shaft ||9 is an arm |2| which normally engages a pin|22. A second pin |23 is provided for limiting the movement of the arm2| For automatically starting the clock-work mechanism a heavy weight|25 is secured to the end of a iiat spring |26, the upper end of whichis fastened to the casing of the clock-work mechanism |20. 'I'he Weight|25 is provided with a projection |21 which normally engages a finger|28, controlling the starting of the clock-work mechanism. Engaging theend of the finger |28 is a spring |29 which is supported on a bracket|30.

Engaging the commutator ||1 is a second brush 3| which is connectedthrough a solenoid I 32 to the conducting segment The core of. thesolenoid ||4 normally engages a collar |35 mounted on a rod |36 to oneend of which is attached a piston |31 which is slidably mounted in acylinder |38. Between the collar |35 and the cylinder |38 is acompression spring |33. This cylinder is provided with a port |39, theflow of air through whichTs controlled by a needle valve |40. To theother end of the rod |36 is secured a block of insulating material 4|which carries a contact |42. This contact is connected through a battery|43 to a detonator |44 located in the explosive charge I5. The otherside of this detonator is connected to a contact |45 which cooperateswith the contact |42.

The core of the solenoid |32 normally engages the collar of the valvespindle 15. This valve reciprocates in the valve casing 16 which isconnected to the two pipes 18 and 19 as described in connection withFig. 1. The pipe 19 communicates with the cylinder 80 shown in Fig. 3.'I'he i rest of the mechanism is similar to that already shown anddescribed in connection with Fig. 3.

In the operation of the modied form of. the invention shown in Fig. 4the tension on the spring 25 is adjusted as described in connection withFig. 1, and when the torpedo is fired, the clock-work mechanism isstarted operating,

thereby causing the commutator ||1 to be slowly rotated until the arm 2|engages the pin |23 at which time the segment ||8 will have engaged thebrushes ||6 and 3| thus completing the circuit through the solenoids 4and 32.

When the torpedo passes beneath an enemy ship the pressure reaction onthe diaphragm I6 will cause it to be moved either in or out, thuscausing the segment I to engage either the contact ||2 or the contact||3. In either case, the circuit will be closed through the solenoidsI|4 and |32 and the battery ||5 causing these solenoids to be energized.Solenoid |32 then releases the valve 15 which is rapidly moved to theleft under the action of the springn |11. This allowsV fluid underpressure to enter the pipe 19, thus causing the horizontal rudders 86 tobe thrown hard-up.

When the solenoid ||4 is energized, its core will be disengaged from thecollar |35, thus allowing the rod |36 to be moved slowly to the rightunder the action of the spring |33. 'I'he speed of this motion isdetennined by the setting of a needle valve |40. This continues untilthe contact |42 engages the contact |45 which closes the circuit throughthe detonator |44, thus exploding the charge in the war-head of thetorpedo. This as already described in connection with Fig. 6 ispreferably timed to take place when the torpedo is at the center anddirectly in contact with the hull of the enemy vessel.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5 the rod |1 is connected toone end of an arm |50 which is pivoted 'to the bracket 9. The other endof this arm normally engages the ends of two arms |5| and |52 which arepivoted to two brackets |53 and |54 respectively. These brackets aremounted upon the bulkhead Slidably mounted in this bulkhead is a plunger|56, which is provided with a collar |51 secured thereto. Between thiscollar and the bulkhead is a compression spring |58. The end of theplunger |56 is formed into a ring pin |59 which is adapted to explode adetonator |60 mounted in a frame |6| which is carried by the bulkheadPivotally connected to the plunger |56 is a T-shaped arm |62 whichcooperates with two lugs |63 and |64 provided on the arms |5| and |52respectively. Two springs |66 and |61 are carried by these arms andengage the T-shaped arm |62 tending to hold it in a central position.Operatively connected to the two arms 5| and |52 are two pistons |10 and|1| which r :iprocate in two cylinders |12 and |13. These cylinders areprovided with ports |14 and |15 which are normally closed by springpressed ap valves |16 and |11. The cylinders |12 and |13 are alsoprovided with two ports |18 and |19 the openings in which are controlledby two needle valves |80 and |8I. Two compression springs |82 and |83are mounted between the cylinders 12 and |13 and the arms |5| and |52respectively.

'I'he plunger |56 is provided with a lug |85 which at suitable times isengaged by the end of an arm |86 which is pivotally mounted upon thecasing of a clock-work mechanism |81. This arm is provided with aprojection |88 which rides on a cam |89 secured to the shaft |90 of theclock-work mechanism |81. The cam |89 is provided with a notch |84 forreceiving the projection |88. Also secured to this shaft is an arm |9|which normally engages a pin |92 and is limited in its motion by meansof a second pin |93.

For automatically starting the clock-work mechanism |81 a heavy weight|95 is secured to invention shown in Fig. the compression spring 25 isset as described in connection with Fig. 1. When the torpedo is fired,the clock-work mechanism |81 is started in a manner similar to thatalready described, thus starting the rotation of the cam |89. Thiscontinues at a slow rate until the projection |88 drops into the notch|84, thus allowing the arm |86 to drop out of engagement with the lug|85. This releasesy the plunger |56 which moves to the right a smalldistance until the projections of the T-shaped arm |62 engage `the lugs|63 and |64.

The mechanism remains in this position during the run of 'the torpedo.If thepressure on the diaphragm |6 should change gradually during thisrun due to the torpedo not maintaining uniform depth or due to thechange of hydrostatic pressure caused by a large swell on the surface ofthe ocean, the arm'l 50 will be gradually rotated first in onedirection, then in the other.

As it does so, the arms |5| and |52 will follow this motion keeping oncontact with the arm |50. As ,long as the motion of the arm |50 issuiciently slow this action will continue, as the air in the cylinders|12 and |13 will escape through the ports |18 and |19 rapidly enough toallow the arms |5| and |52 to keep in engagement with the arm |50. It isthus seen, therefore, that as long as there are only gradual changes ofpressure on the diaphragm I6, the firing mechanism will be held in aninoperative position.

When the torpedo passes beneath a ship, however, the change of pressureon the diaphragm I6 will be rapid, thus causing the arm |50 to moverapidly in one direction to the other, as for example, in a counterclock-wise direction. As this occurs, it will force` the arm |5| upwardrapidly, as the air in the cylinder 62 is exhausted freely by me'ans ofthe flap valve |16. The arm |52, however, will not be able to followthis rapid motion due to the dash pot action of the cylinder |13 as theair can only enter this cylinder through the restricted port |19. It isthus seen that in this way the arms |5| and |52 will tend to beseparated. If the change of pressure on the diaphragm I6 is sufficientlystrong and rapid, it will cause these arms to be separated an amountgreat enough to allow the T-shaped arm |62 to slip between the lugs |63and |64, thus allowing the plunger |56 to be moved rapidly to the rightunder the action of the spring |58 until the firing pin |59 strikes thedetonator |60 which will cause the explosion of the charge |5 in thehead of the torpedo.

A delayed action mechanism similar to that shown in connection withFigs. 1 and 2 may be connected to the plunger |56 if desired and a.valve 16 for controlling the horizontal rudders may also be connected tothis mechanism in a manner similar to that shown in connection with Fig.1.

Although only a few of the various forms in which this invention may beembodied have been shown herein, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to any specic construction, but may be embodiedin various other forms without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a torpedo, depth control mechanism therefor, apressure responsive device adapted to respond to hydrostatic pressure onthe top, forward surface of the torpedo and means controlled by saidpressure responsive device for setting said depth control mechanism intopullup position in response to changes in pressure caused by passage ofthe torpedo beneath the hull of a ship whereby said tropedo is caused tostrike the bottom of the ship.

2. In a torpedo, a torpedo body, an explosive charge carried by saidbody, a detonator for exploding said charge, a horizontal rudder, apressure-responsive device operative on the disturbance causedby thepassage of the torpedo under an enemy vessel, means governed by saidpressure-responsive device for operating said horizontal rudder intohard-up position and thereafter operating said detonator.

3. In a torpedo, a torpedo body, an explosive charge carried by saidbody, a detonator for exploding said charge, a horizontal rudder, apressure-responsive device operative on the disturbance caused by thepassage of the torpedo under an enemy vessel, means governed by saidpressure-responsive device for operating said horizontal rudder intohard-up position and thereafter operating said detonator and a timingdevice for locking said rudder control and said detonator control for apredetermined period after the torpedo is launched.

4. In a torpedo, depth control mechanism, means to actuate the same tohard-up position, a detonator, means to actuate the same, a deviceresponsive to passage of the torpedo beneath av ship adapted to initiatethe operation of both of said actuating means, and means to delay theaction of said second actuating means to permit the torpedo to come intoproximity with the center of the bottom of the ship before detonation.

5. In a torpedo, depth control mechanism, means to actuate the same tohard-up position, a detonator, means to actuate the same, a deviceresponsive to the pressure change caused by passage of the torpedobeneath a ship adapted to 'initiate the operaton of both of saidactuating means, and means to delay the action of Said second actuatingmeans to permit the torpedo to come into proximity with the center ofthe bottom of the ship before detonation.

6. In a torpedo, steering mechanism carried thereby, means responsive torapid changes in the external pressure to actuate said steeringmechanism, and means to prevent actuation of said steering mechanism byslow changes in the ,external pressure.

7. In a torpedo, an explosive charge carried thereby, means responsiveto rapid changes in the external pressure to detonate said explosivecharge, and means to prevent detonation of said explosive charge by slowchanges in the external pressure.

8. In combination, a torpedo, depth control mechanism therefor, apressure-responsive device in said torpedo responsive to changes inabsolute hydrostatic pressure of the water surrounding the torpedocaused by passage of the torpedo beneath the hull of a ship, and meanscontrolled by said changes in pressure whereby said torpedo is caused toexplode while close to the foreign object.

10. In combination, a torpedo, a utility carried thereby, apressure-responsive device in said torpedo responsive to changes inabsolute hydrostatic pressure of the Water surrounding the torpedocaused by passage of the torpedo near a foreign object and meanscontrolled by said pressure-responsive device for actuating said 0utility in response to such changes in pressure.

JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, JR.

